Rookie tight end Michael Williams was placed on injured reserve with a broken hand, shutting him down for the year.

The roster situation is fluid because the Lions will now look to claim players off waivers. So while a player might have made the cut Saturday, it doesn't guarantee he will on the roster by next Sunday.

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While there were some tough decisions to make at a few positions, including wide receiver, there were no absolute shockers.

The cornerback situation cleared up with the release of Ron Bartell and Chris Greenwood.

Bartell lined up with the first team early in training camp until rookie Darius Slay moved up two weeks ago. Mathis likely got the nod because he can play cornerback, nickel and safety.

Greenwood, a fifth-round pick in 2012, missed his entire rookie season with an abdominal injury. He also missed the first two weeks of training camp with a hamstring. He played in the last two preseason games and got beat on a 79-yard pass play by the Bills on Thursday night.

Greenwood is a candidate for the practice squad which is the best thing that could happen to him. A local kid, he played at Detroit King and Albion.

Chris Houston and Darius Slay will start with Bill Bentley, Rashean Mathis and Jonte Green on the roster.

Safety Tyrell Johnson, a special teams ace, didn't make the cut despite a good camp.

Neither did safety Amari Spievey, a third-round pick in 2010, who started two games last season. The converted cornerback did not have a good camp and saw limited time in preseason games.

The Lions must have faith in Louis Delmas' knee because the only other safeties are Glover Quin, Don Carey and John Wendling who plays mostly special teams. Mathis can also play safety.

Linebacker/special teams guy Chris White, who came to Detroit in a trade with the Bills a week ago, was cut while veteran Randy McIntosh earned a spot.

On the defensive line no surprises as Andre Fluellen, Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and Xavier Proctor were cut.

Offensively, wide receiver Matt Willis had a solid camp and preseason, but didn't survive the cut.

Kris Durham, who was active for the final four games last season, remains as does Micheal Spurlock who is expected to be the return specialist.

Like Greenwood, wide receiver Corey Fuller needs a season on the practice squad. He's got speed, but only played two years of college football after making the switch from being a track athlete. Raw is the best way to describe him.

It was no surprise that tight end Joe Fauria, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, made the roster.

Theo Riddick, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame who had two touchdown catches Thursday night in Buffalo, will join Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, MIkel Leshoure and Montell Owens on the running back squad.

Undrafted rookie running back Steven MIller, who got a shot as a returner during the preseason, was cut. Miller also would qualify for the practice squad.

Shaun Chapas, who played with Matthew Stafford and Durham aat Georgia, was released too.

Owens (knee) reportedly will be placed on short-term injured reserve, but he counts as one of the 53 until Tuesday. He will be eligible to return in six weeks.

As expected rookie Sam Martin, the fifth-round pick from Appalachian State, will be the punter. Blake Clingan announced his departure on Twitter.

The Lions can sign eight eligible players to the practice squad starting on Sunday.